Tens of thousand years ago, this land was covered with lush tropical
rain forests. The fertile land, temperate climatic conditions, abundant
natural resources attracted early settlers and migrants throughtout the
subsequent periods, even up to the present. Rich cultures amalgamated
into distinct life styles. Emerging out of a thousand years of consciously
striving for unity were the T'ai people. City states soon unified into
an independent kingdom. Emergent also was a distinct culture known as
Thai.

Stone tools and implements of prehistoric man dating to the Paleolithic
Period have been found throughout this country. Over 10,000 years ago,
man lived near the waterways in the north and central Thailand. Archaeological
evidence of Neolithic settlements has been discovered in an area covering
no less than 40 provinces. They include tools and decorative objects made
of flint, bone and shells. Primitive paintings dating to this period exist
in a number of caves. Metal works, both bronze and iron, appeared almost
simultaneously some 2,700 years ago.

A part of prehistory in Thailand has become a subject for intensive study
shedding new light on the evoluation of man in southeast Asia. "Ban
Chiang" used to be the name of a small village in Udonthani Province.
Since the discovery that this modern settlement had been founded on top
of an area rich in prehistoric archaeological evidence, the name has become
well known worldwide and synonymous with an important prehistoric culture.

Ancient Ban Chiang culture existed in scattered areas throughout the
Northeastern region of Thailand. The people lived near watersources in
dense forests. They gradually cleared the forest for settlements. They
hunted with axes, spears, arrows, sling shots and fishing hooks. They
cultivated rice in irrigated paddies and learnt to use buffalos in farming.
They wove cloth out of natural fibres and might have printed patterns
on the fabric by using rollers. They made and wore decorative ornaments
such as glass beads, earthenware amulets and bronze bangles. They made
stylistic pottery which had applied or and painted decorations both for
household use and for ritualistic burial. They became proficient metal
workers quite early in prehistory, and discovered the use of iron almost
contemporaneous with bronze.

The Ban Chiang people believed in the afterlife. They buried the dead
accompanied with personal belongings, perhaps insignia of rank, containers
of food and other burial goods. Theirs was a structured society which
existed for thousands of years until unknown causes disrupted their stable
existence. There is no historical evidence of a direct link with the inhabitants
of modern Ban Chiang. who are said to have migrated into the area from
Laos some 200 years ago. Nevertheless, certain aspects of the contemporary
lifestyle indicate some heritage from the past. However vague this link
may be, modern Ban Chiang has benefited from the fame of the ancient people.

TANG GALLERY
Silom Galleria, B-28 (Basement)
919/1 Silom rd.
Tel. (662) 630 1114
Open: 11:00 - 19:00 all days
Features regular exhibitions by well known Chinese artists from the mainland.
Works for sale.

THE NATIONAL GALLERY
4 Chao Fa Road
Bangkok 10200
Tel. (662) 282 0637
Open: Wednesday - Sunday, 9:00 - 16:00
Has a permanent collection of some well known national artists. Also features
regular shows by Thai and non-Thai artists,sometimes for sale.